So, in my actions or while writing an article I always keep in mind that my heritage to my daughter should always be something to be proud of, not something shameful like the legacy left by some of my friend's ancestors who lived during World War II.It is true that I have always prayed that I would not have to experience delicate times or take positions that one day would leave me having to answer questions about such times from my descendents. It seems that my prayers were not answered. One day, just like anybody else in this country living in this period of time -- especially if they are politicians, opinion makers or journalists -- I will have to answer the question of what I was doing and what my position was on the investigation into the Ergenekon terror organization. When we are asked this question it will be impossible to hide the truth because the Internet, where the truth can be found, had already been invented in our time.
I really wonder what some of my colleagues will say to their descendents when the time comes for these questions in the not too distant future. How will they be able to tell the truth without being ashamed? For example, those who have kissed the hands of people who are allegedly involved with Ergenekon and instead of questioning them have asked if they would like to give any messages to the public, what will they say to their children? What about those who are still trying to downplay Ergenekon and its activities; what will they say to their descendents in the near future?
What will those who are claiming that the aim of the Ergenekon investigation is to create a kingdom of fear say when they are questioned about it?
"Dad, mom, what were you doing when the Ergenekon investigation was taking place -- you know, the terror organization which prevented Turkey from becoming a democratic country -- when you were young? Those people who tried to strengthen their power by using certain sacred concepts such as patriotism. You know, those who killed many prominent people in Turkey, the ones who organized plots and tried to create chaos in the country."
When the time comes, would it be easy to say that I underestimated Ergenekon because I disliked the government of the time, so this dislike made me blind, or that I was not able to see the truth although I knew it in my heart?
What about journalists, would it be easy for them to claim that they twisted the truth a little bit at that time since their bosses asked them to do so?
As for those who are claiming that the aim of the Ergenekon investigation was to establish a kingdom of fear, I wish they were willing to visit southeastern Anatolia, particularly Şırnak and the surrounding areas, so that they would realize what a kingdom of fear really is.
Those who will be able to give an answer without shame to their descendents already know quite well that Ergenekon established its first kingdom in the Southeast, under the banner of "fighting against terror." The members of Ergenekon deliberately contributed a great deal to the already existing terror in the region. Some of the key suspects of Ergenekon such as Levent Ersöz and Arif Doğan were there at a time when many people were killed or disappeared. The real kingdom of fear is there; just mentioning the name of Ersöz is enough to bring forth the fear in people's eyes.
Some of those who joked over the fact that at the beginning of the investigation only a few guns were seized and that it would be impossible to organize a coup with only these guns, using this to justify their stance that the investigation was not important, had already started to change their tune after the police found some ammunition belonging to Ergenekon. But others are trying to suggest that the police had planted those weapons. I think even those who don't have any descendents will still have to account for themselves one day.
Maybe my prayers for not having to live through a delicate period of time were not answered, but I still pray to be able to give the honorable answer to the question, the answer that I won't need to be ashamed of. Perhaps it would be better for everyone to keep in mind that we will have to face this question one day; then, instead of in the near future, many things in Turkey would be better today.
